Now soon to Heav'n her soul had found the way,
For there it oft had been in pray'r and praise)
But that his vows did life with loudness stay,
And life's warm help did soon her body raise.
And now he gently leads her; for no more

He lets th' unhallow'd ground a faln flowre wear, Sweeter than Nature's bosome ever wore ;

And now these vows sends kindly to her ear: "If (Birtha) I am false, think none to blame

For thinking truth (by which the soul subsists) No farther to be found than in the name;

Think humane kind hetraid even by their priests. "Think all my sex so vile, that you may chide Those maids who to your mother's nuptials ran; And praise your mother, who so early dy'de,

Remembring whom she marry'd was a man. "This great court miracle you straight receive From Orgo, and your faith the whole allows : Why, since you Orgo's words so soon believe, Will you less civilly suspect my vowes?

My vowes, which want the temple's seal, will binde

(Though private kept) surer than publick laws; For laws but force the body, but my minde

Your vertue councels, whilst your beauty draws.” Thus spake he, but his mourning looks did more Attest his grief, and fear does hers renew; Now losing (were he lost) more than before, [true. For then she fear'd him false, now thinks him

As sick physitians seldome their own art

Dare trust, to cure their own disease, so these Were to themselves quite useless when apart; Yet, by consult, each can the other ease. But from themselves they now diverted stood; For Orgo's newes (which need not borrow wings, Since Orgo for his lord believ'd it good)

To Astragon the joyful houshold brings. But Astragon, with a judicious thought,

This day's glad news took in the dire portent; A day which mourning nights to Birtha brought, And with that fear in search of Birtha went. And here he findes her in her lover's eyes,

And him in hers; both more afflicted grown At his approach, for each his sorrow spies, Who thus would counsel theirs, and hide his own. "Though much this fatall joy to anger moves, Yet reason's aydes shall anger's force subdue; I will not chide you for your hasty loves, Nor ever doubt (great prince) that yours is true. "In chiding Love, because he hasty was,

Or urging errours, which his swiftness brings, I finde effects, but dare not tax the cause;

For poets were inspir'd who gave him wings. "When low I digg, where desart rivers run,

Dive deep in seas, thro' forrests follow windes, Or reach with optick tubes the ragged Moon, My sight no cause of Love's swift motion findes. "Love's fatall haste, in yours, I will not blame, Because I know not why his wings were giv'n; Nor doubt him true, not knowing whence he came, Nor Birtha chide, who thought you came fio:n Heav'n.

"If you lay snares, we err when we escape; Since evil practise learns men to suspect Where falshood is, and in your noble shape

We should, by finding it, our skill detect. "Yet both your griefs I'le chide, as ignorance;

Call you unthankful; for your great griefs show That Heav'n has never us'd you to mischance, Yet rudely you repine to feel it now.

"If your contextures be so weak and nice, Weep that this stormy world you ever knew; You are not in those calmes of Paradice, Where slender flowers as safe as cedars grew. "This, which your youth calls grief, was frowardIn flatter'd infancy, and as you beare Unkindly now amidst youth's joys distress, So then, unless still rock'd, you froward were. "Grief's conflicts gave these haires their silver shine;

[ness

(Torne ensignes which victorious age adorne) Youth is a dress too garish and too fine

To be in foule tempestuous weather worne. "Grief's want of use does dang'rous weakness make;

But we by use of burdens are made strong, And in our practis'd age can calmely take

Those sorrows which, like feavers, vex the young. "When you in Love's fair books (which poets keep)

Read what they hide, his tragick history, You will rejoyce that half your time is sleep, And smile at Love when Nature bids you die. "Learn then that Love's diseases common are;

Doe not in sickness known, (though new to you) Whilst vital heat does last, of cure despaire:

Love's vital heat does last whilst love is true.".

Thus spake the kinde and prudent Astragon,

And much their kinde impatience he appeas'd; For of his griefs (which heavier than their own Were born by both) their dutious fears are eas'd. She begs that he would pardon her distress, Thought that even sin which did his sorrow move; And then, with all her mother's lowliness, His pardon craves for asking leave to love. The duke, who saw fair truth so undisguis'd, And love in all, but love so unconcern'd, Pitty'd the studious world, and all despis'd, Who did not here unlearn what they had learn'd. "I am reform'd," (said he) "not that before I wanted love, or that my love was ill; But I have learnt to perfect nature more, By giving innocence a little skill. "For 'tis some skill in innocence to bear With temper the distempers of our stars; Not doubling griefs already come by fear Of more, for fears but hasten threaten'd wars. "But we will bravely suffer to inure [laid; Our strength to weights against the new are That, when 'tis known how much we can endure, Our sufferings may make our foes afraid. "This comet glory shines but in portent, Which from the court does send her threatning And looks as if it were by malice ment [beams;

To hasten Oswald's faction to extreams.

But with the early Sun he rose, and taught These youths by growing vertue to grow great ; Show'd greatness is without it blindly sought,

A desp'rate charge, which ends in base retreat. He taught them shame, the sodain sence of ill; Shame, Nature's hasty conscience, which forbids Weak inclination ere it grows to will,

Or stays rash will, before it grows to deeds. He taught them honour, Vertue's bashfulness, A fort so yieldless, that it fears to treat; Like pow'r, it grows to nothing, growing less; Honour, the moral conscience of the great! He taught them kindness, soul's civilitie,

In which nor courts, nor citys, have a part; For theirs is fashion, this from falsbood free, Where love and pleasure know no lust nor art. And love he taught, the soul's stolne visit made, Tho' froward age watch hard, and law forbid; Her walks no spie has trac'd, nor mountain staide; Her friendship's cause is as the loadstone's hid. He taught them love of toyle; toyle, which does keep [blood; Obstructions from the minde, and quench the Ease but belongs to us like sleep, and sleep, Like opium, is our med'cine, not our food. To dangers us'd them, which Death's visards are, More uggly than himself, and often chase From battail coward life; but when we dare His visard see, we never fear his face.

GONDIBERT.

CANTO THE THIRD.

THE ARGUMENT.

The poet takes the wise aside, to prove
Even them concern'd in all he writes of love.
The dutious Orgo from the court returns
With joys, at which again fair Birtha mourns.
The duke with open armes does entertain
Those guests, whom he receives with seeret pain.

THOU, who some ages hence these roles dost read (Kept as records by lovers of love's pow'r) Thou who dost live, when I have long been dead, And feed'st from earth, when earth does me devowr:

Who liv'st, perhaps, amidst some citie's joys, Where they would fall asleep with lazy peace, But that their triumphs make so great a noise,

And their loud bells cannot for nuptials cease: Thou, who perhaps, proudly thy bloomy bride

Lead'st to some temple, where I wither'd lie; Proudly, as if she age's frosts defy'd;

And that thy springing self could never die: Thou, to whom then the cheerful quire will sing, Whilst hallow'd lamps, and tapers brave the Sun As a lay-light; and bells in triumph ring, As when from sallies the besiegers run.

That when the priest has ended, if thine eies
Can but a little space her eies forbear,
To shew her where my marble coffin lies;
Her virgin garlands she will offer there:
Confess, that reading me she learnt to love;
That all the good behaviour of her heart,
Even tow'rds thy self, my doctrine did improve;
Where love by nature is forwarn'd of art,
She will confess, that to her maiden state
This story show'd such patterns of great life,
As though she then could those but imitate,
They an example make her now a wife.
And thy life's fire could she awhile outlive
(Which were, though lawful, neither kinde nor

good)

Then, even her sorrows would examples giye;

And shine to others through dark widowhood. And she will boast, how spite of cynick age, Of ruder cells, where they love's fire asswage Of business, which does pow'r uncivil make, By studying death, and fear for vertuc take: And spite of courts (where loving now is made Did teach her how by nature to perswade, An art, as dying is in cells) my laws

And hold by vertue whom her beauty draws. Thus when by knowing me, thou know'st to whom Love owes his eies, who has too long been blinde; Then in the temple leave my bodie's tomb,

To seek this book, the mon'ment of my minde. Where thou mai'st read; who with impatient eies For Orgo on the guilded tarras stay.; Which high, and golden shews, and open lies,

As the morne's window when she lets out day. Whose height two rising forrests over-looks;

And on pine-tops the eiesight downward casts; Where distant rivers seem bestrided brooks, Churches but anchor'd ships, their steeples

masts.

Hence, by his little Regian courser brought,
Orgo they spie, with diligence indu'd,
As if he would o'ertake forerunning thought;
And he by many swiftly seem'd pursu’d.
But his light speed left those awhile behinde;
Whilst with rais'd dust their swiftness hid the
Yet Birtha will, too soon, by Orgo finde [way,
What she by distance lost in this survay.
Orgo a precious casket did present

To his dear lord, of Podian saphyr wrought; For which, unknown to Birtha, he was sent;

And a more precious pledge, was in it brought. Then thus proclaim'd his joy!" Long may I live! Sent still with blessings from the heav'nly

powers;

And may their bountys shew what they can give; And full as fast as long expected showres! "Behold the king, with such a shining traine

As dazles sight, yet can inform the blind; But there the rich, and beautious shine in vaine, Unless they distance keep from Rhodaliud. "Methinks, they through the middle region come; Their chariots hid in clouds of dust below, And o're their heads, their coursers scatter'd fome Does secun to cover them like falling snow."

This Birtha heard, and she on Orgo cast

A piteous look (for she no anger knew) But griev'd he knows not, that he brings too fast Such joys, as fain she faster would eschew. So Gondibert this gust of glory took,

As men whose sayls are full more weather take; And she so gaz'd on him, as sea men look

On long sought shore, when tempests drive
them back.

But now these glorys more apparent be;

And justly all their observation claim'd; Great, as in greatest courts less princes see,

When entertain'd to be eclips'd, and sham'd. West from Verona's road, through pleasant meads Their chariots cross; and to the palace steer; And Aribert this winged triumph leads;

Which like the planets progress did appear.
So shin'd they, and so noisless seem'd their speed;
Like Spartans, touching but the silken reynes,
Was all the conduct which their coursers need;
And proudly to sit still, was all their paines.
With Aribert sat royal Rhodalind;

Calm Orna by the count; by Hermegild
(Silver'd with time) the golden Gartha shin'd;
And Tybalt's eies were full by Laura fill'd.
The lesser beauties, numberless as stars,

Shew'd sickly and far off, to this noon-day;
And lagg'd like baggage treasure in the wars;
Or only seem'd, another milkie way.
The duke perceiv'd the king design'd to make
This visit more familiar by surprise;
And with court art, he would no notice take

Of that, which kings are willing to disguise.
But as in heedless sleep, the house shall seem

New wak'd with this alarm; and Ulfin strait (Whose fame was precious in the court's esteem) Must, as with casual sight, their entrance wait.

To Astragon he doubles all his vows;

To Birtha, through his eies, his heart reveal'd; And by some civil jealousies he shows

Her beauty from the court must be conceal'd.

Prays ber, from envy's danger to retire;

The palace war; which there can never cease
Till beauty's force in age or death expire:

A war disguis'd in civil shapes of peace,
Still he the precious pledge kept from her view;
Who guess'd not by the casket his intent;
And was so willing not to fear him true,
That she did fear to question what it ment.

Now basts she to be hid; and being gon,
Her lover thinks the planet of the day
So leaves the mourning world to give the Moon
(Whose train is mark'd but for their number)

way.

And entring in her closet (which took light

Full in the palace front) she findes her maids Gather'd to see this gay unusual sight; Which, commet-like, their wondring eies invades. Where Thula would by climbing highest be, Though ancient grown, and was in stature short, Yet did protest, she came not there to see, But to be hid from dangers of the court.

Their curious longing Birtha durst not blame
Boldness, (which but to seeing did aspire)
Since she her self, provok'd with courts' great fame,
Would fain a little see what all admire.

Then through the casement ventur'd so much face
As kings depos'd show, when through grates they
To see deposers to their crowning passe; [реер,
Butstraight shrink back, and at the triumph weep.

Soon so her eies did too much glory finde;
For ev'n the first she saw was all; for she
No more would view since that was Rhodalind;
And so much beauty could none others be.
Which with her vertue weigh'd (no less renown'd)
Afflicts her that such worth must fatal prove;
And be in tears of the possessor drown'd,
Or she depose her lover by her love.
But Thula (wildly earnest in the view

Of such gay sights as she did ne'r behold) Mark'd not when Birtha her sad eies withdrew; But dreamt the world was turn'd again to gold. Each lady most, till more appear'd, ador'd; Then with rude liking prais'd them all alowd; Yet thought them foul and course to ev'ry lord; And civilly to ev'ry page she bow'd.

The objects past, out-sigh'd even those that woo;" And straight her mistris at the window mist; Then finding her in grief, out-sigh'd her too;

And her fair hands with parting passion kist: Did with a servant's usual art profess,

That all she saw was to her beauty black; Confess'd their maids well bred, and knew to dress, But said those courts are poor which painting lack.

"Thy praise," (said Birtha) "poyson'd is with May blisters cease on thy uncivil tongue, [spite; Which strives so wickedly to do me right,

By doing Rhodalind and Orna wrong.

False Fame, thy mistris, tutour'd thee amiss; Who teaches school in streets, where crowds reFame, false, as that their beauty painted is: [sort; The common country slander on the court." With this rebuke, Thula takes gravely leave;

Pretends she'll better judge ere they be gon; At least see more, though they her sight deceive; Whilst Birtha findes, wilde fear feeds best alone. Ulfin receives, and through Art's palace guides

The king; who owns him with familiar grace; Though twice seven years from first observance bides

Those marks of valour which adorn'd his face.

[pence

Then Astragon with hasty homage bows:
And says, when thus his beam she does dis-
In lowly visits, like the Sun he shows
Kings made for universal influence.
Him with renown the king for science pays,
And vertue; which God's likest pictures bee;
Drawn by the soul, whose onely hire is praise;
And from such salary not Heav'n is free.
Then kindly he inquires for Gondibert;
When, and how far his wounds in danger were!
And does the cautious progress of his art
Alike with wonder and with pleasure heare.

Now Gon-libert advanc'd, but with delay;
As fetter'd by his love for be would fain
Dissembled weakness might procure his stay,
Here where his soal does as in Heav'n remain.
Him, creature like, the king did boldly use
With publick love; to have it understood
That kings ke God, may choose whom they will
choose;
Igood.
And what they make, judge with their own eies
T's grace the dake at bashful distance takes;

A. Phodalind so much concern'd is grown,
That his surprisa! she her troubles makes;

Elathing, as if his blashes were her own. Now the bright train with Astragon ascend; Whilst Hermegild, with Gartha, moves behinde; Whom much this gracious visit did offend;

But thus be practis'd to appease her minde. "Judge not you strangely in this visit showe; As well in courts think wise disembling new; Nor think the kindness strange, though to your foe, [true.

Till all in courts where they are kinde are "Why should your closer mourning more be worn? Poor priests invented blacks for lesser cost; Kings for their syres in regal purple mourn; [lost. Which shows what they have got, not what they "Though rough the way to empire be, and steep, You look that I should level it so plain, As babes might walk it barefoot in their sleep; But pow'r is the reward of patient pain! "This high hill pow'r, whose bowels are of gold, Shews neer to greedy and unpractis'd sight; But many grow in travail to it old,

And have mistook the distance by the height. "If those old travailers may thither be Your trusted guides, they will your baste reform; And give you fears of voyages by sea;

Which are not often made without a storm.

Yet short our course shall prove, our passage
faire,

If in the steerage you will quiet stand,
And not make storms of ev'ry breath of aire;

But think the helm safe in the pilot's hand. "You like some fatal king (who all men hears Yet trusts intirely none) your trust mistake, As too much weight for one: one pillar bears Weight that would make a thousand shoulders ake.

"Your brother's storm I to a calm have turn'd;
Who lets this guilded sacrifice proceed
To Hymen's altar, by the king adorn'd,

As priests give victims gerlonds ere they bleed.
"Hubert to triumph would not move so faste;
Yet you (though but a kind spectator) mean
To give his triumph laws, and make more haste
To see it pass, than he does to be seen.
"With patience lay this tempest of your heart!
For you, ere long, this angel's form shall turn
To fatal man's; and for that shape of art,

Some may, as I for yours of nature, mourn." Thus by her love-sick statesman she was taught; And smil'd, with joy of wearing manly shape; Then smil'd, that such a smile his heart had caught; Whose nets camps break not through, nor senates scape.

GONDIBERT.

CANTO THE FOURTH

THE ARGUMENT.

The king to Goodibert is grown so kinde,
That he prevents the bounteous Rhodalind
In giving of her love; and Gondibert
Laments his breast holds but a single heart;
Which Birtha grieves her beauty did subdue,
Since he undoes the world in being true.

FULL grows the presence now, as when all know
Some stranger prince must be receiv'd with state;
When courts shew those, who come to see the show;
And all gay subjects like domesticks waite.
Nor Ulfinore nor Goltho absent were;

Whose hopes expect what list'ning Birtha (hid
In the adjoyning closet) fears to heare;
And beggs kinde Heav'n in pitty would forbid.
The king (who never time nor pow'r misspent
In subjects' bashfulness, whiling great deeds
Like coward councels, who too late consent)
Thus to his secret will aloud proceeds.

"If to thy fame," (brave youth) “I could add wings,

Or make her trumpet louder by my voice, I would (as an example drawn for kings) Proclaim the cause, why thou art now my choice. "But this were to suspect the world asleep,

Or all our Lombards with their envy blinde, Or that the Hunns so much for bondage weep, As their drown'd eies cannot thy trophies finde. "When this is heard, none dare of what I give

Presume their equal merit might have shar'd; And to say more, might make thy foes believe, Thy dang'rous worth is grown above reward. "Reward even of a crown, and such a crown,

As by Heav'n's model ancient victors wore; When they, as by their coyn, by laws were known; For laws but made more currant victors' pow'r. "A crown soon taught, by whom pow'r first was given;

When victors (of dominion cautious made By bearing of that old revolt in Heav'n)

Kept pow'r too high for subjects to invade. "A crown, which ends by armies their debate, Who question height of pow'r; who by the law (Till plain obedience they make intricate)

Would not the people, but their rulers aw. "To pow'r adoption makes thy title good;

Preferring worth, as birth give princes place; And vertue's claim exceeds the right of blood, As soul's extraction does the bodie's race. "Yet for thy blood's long walk through princes' veins,

Thou maist with any Lombard measure time; Though he his hidden house in Ilium feigns; And not step short, when Hubert's self would climbe.